Brussels, Oct. 1, (dpa/GNA) – New NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte credited former US president Donald Trump with persuading allies to increase their defence spending.
“Thanks to (Trump)” allies increased defence spending since 2018, Rutte said, referring to a tense NATO leaders summit when the then-US president pushed members hard to up spending.
The secretary general also said the US republican presidential candidate was right to warn allies about the challenges posed by China. “It’s taken on board, I think by many us,” he said.
The new NATO chief added that Trump, as well as US democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris, understood that Russia must not win in Ukraine as this would endanger the alliance’s security.